Seeding-machine.



PATBNTED MAR. 3, 1903. S. H. JONES.

SEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903..

S. H. JONES. SEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1T0 MODEL.

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llirn STATES Arnr OFFICE.

SYLVESTER H. JONES, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO IIOOSIER DRILL COMPANY, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, A CORPORATION.

SEEDlNlG-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,111, dated March 3, 1903.

Application filed May 31, 1902. Serial No. 109,591. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SYLvEsrER H. J ONES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of WVayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seeding-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in seeding-machines of the type known as endgate seeders.

The object of my invention is, first, to combine in an end-gate seeder a grass-seed hopper and spout and a grain hopper and spout with a distributing-wheel in such a manner that the two different seeds are deposited at the proper point on the distributing-wheel, whereby the seed is more effectually distributed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a positive means for feeding and controlling the amount of seed sown.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cushioning device interposed between the main driving-gear and the driving-shaft on which it is mounted, whereby the motion transmitted to the power-shaft is gradually imparted to the seed-shaft, thereby avoiding shocks to the mechanism, which would otherwise occur if the driving mechanism was suddenly started up.

Other features of my invention are more fully set forth in the description of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved seeder mounted in position on an endgate of a wagon. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the grain-seeder. Fig. 3 is a section on line so as, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of my improved seeder, partly in section. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal central section of the main driving-gear and the spring-cushioned clutch. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the main driving-shaft and its connections. Fig. 7 is a section on line y y, Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal central section of the grassseeder. Fig. 9 is a section on lines 2, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cut-0d gate of the grass-seeder, and Fig. 11 is a plan view of a rosette-wheel of the grass-seeder.

A represents the end-gate of a wagon on which the seeder is mounted.

A represents the bracket connections of the grass-seeder; A the grass-seed hopper.

13 represents the grain-seed hopper; E the grain-seed spout leading from the seeder to the distributing-wheel.

B represents bracket connections of the grain-seed hopper B with the end-gate A.

I have shown two grain-seeder wheels C and D, which are mounted upon a common shaft E and driven by a sprocket-wheel E. In Fig. 3 one grain-seeder, D, is shown in elevation, and the other seeder, C, is shown in section. They are separated from each other by a partition E These'are the ordinary force-feed wheels. These seed-wheels are surrounded by a cup having an outlet into a common spout E the bottom of this spout terminating immediately above the horizontal wings of the distributing-wheel F. Each of these two seed-cups has an independent cut-oif gate 0 D, which slide longitudinally and inwardly across the cup-outlet, so as to lessen and regulate the size of the delivery-orifice of the seed-cup,thereby controlling theamount of grain discharged by the distributing-wheel. The said cut-off gates C D are each the coun terpart of the other. As shown in Fig. 3, plate D is provided with slot d to receive and slide on the set-bolt d, so that the gates may be locked in any desired position. They are required to be independently adjusted, as under different conditions, such as working on a sidehill, more grain will be delivered on one side than the other. It will be observed that these regulating-gates are not only semicircular or shell-shaped to regulate the size of the opening in the hopper, but they have the usual fluted disks to regulate the amount of exposure of the ribs, so that as theyare adjusted they regulate the size of the discharge-openin g from the hopper into the seedcup, as well as regulating the amount of flute exposure on the feed-wheel. These two feedcups areemployed so as to give the requisite capacity for sowing all kinds of grain. For

instance, in sowing oats one seeder would have to be very large, and when the gate is closed for sowing wheat the discharge would be at one side of the hopper, which would necessitate the moving of the grain laterally along distance by using two seed-wheels with the discharge-orifices at each side of the partition E and near the center of the hopper. Securing a direct passage of the grain from the hopper to the seed-spout avoids the liability of bridging or clogging. The grassseeder G is inclosed in a cup directly under the hopper A. It is mounted upon a shaft G, driven by a sprocket-wheel G receiving motion from sprocket-wheel E mounted on the grain-seed shaft E,through sprocket-chain G G3 represents a sleeve-bearing supporting said shaft and cast integral with the sprocket-wheel G said bearing being supported by the grass-seeder bracket A, so that the grass-seed hopper and its contained parts are detachably connected to the end-gate independently of the grain-seed hopper and devices.

The grass-seeder is composed of the following parts: g represents a seed-cup which is secured centrally under the grass-seed hopper. It serves as a bearing for the shaft G. G represents the seeder-wheel, having the sleeve g, adapted to move longitudinally in the seed-cup g, sliding loosely on the shaft G. Said shaft is square and fits in a similarly-shaped orifice in the seed-wheel, so as to revolve therewith and yet allow it to be slid longitudinally. The wheel G is provided with a series of ribs or teeth 9 which slide loosely in the rosette-wheel g. This rosette journals into an annular recess in the seedcup 9 and revolves with the seed wheel and shaft. It is provided with a series of recesses in which the teeth of the seed-wheel fit and slide.

It will be observed that the seed-wheel G, as shown in Fig. 8, is adjusted laterally, so that the teeth are partially out of the seedcup, exposing only a portion of the length of said teeth to the seed inside the seed-cup, thereby limiting the amount of seed carried forward by the teeth as they revolve. Thus it will be observed that by sliding the seedwheel longitudinally the amount of grassseed delivered can be regulated to a nicety. The sleeve 9 is provided with cut-off wings g These cut-off wings move laterally with the seed-wheel and cut off the discharge-orifice in the rear of the teeth of the seed-wheel as it moves outwardly, thus preventing any discharge of seed except opposite the teeth of the seed-wheel within the cup. This sleeve is provided with a large bore sufficient in size to allow the square shaft to revolve therein without turning. The shaft G is moved laterally within its bearing, carrying the seedwheel with it, and there held in contact by pins 25, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus the supply of seed is positively controlled.

The grass-seed shaft is driven by the sprocket-chain G takingits motion from the sprocket-wheel E on the grain-seed shaft, which in turn takes its motion from the main driving-wheel, (not shown,) as will be presently explained.

The driving mechanism is constructed as follows: I-I represents a knee-bracket secured to the end of the gate, and the projecting limb furnishes a journal-support H for the driving-shaft I, which receives its power by means of the sprocket-wheel E driven from a sprocket-Wheel taking its motion from one of the rear wagon-wheels in the usual manner. Said sprocket-wheel is normally loose on the shaft and is provided with two guide-collars a a, which move with it. To one of said collars are affixed a series of teeth a which are adapted to mesh with the teeth a of the cushioned clutch box. Said clutch box is made of two sections J J. The main section J is rigidly secured to the shaft I by a setscrew j, as shown in enlarged section, Fig. 5. The sections are mounted upon the sleeve 7' and the two sections are provided with an internal spring, connecting as follows:

1) represents a coil-spring around the sleeve f one end of said spring engaging a lug b in section J, which prevents that end of the spring from moving and being a permanent stop for the spring. The other end of the springb normally occupies the position shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 being a section showing the clutch-box on line y y, Fig. 5, it will be seen that section J is provided with two lugs c c, projecting internally, and 17 represents a lug on the stationary section J, likewise projecting inwardly into section J. The free or moving end of the spring I) is in contact with the lug c. When motion is imparted to section J by the sprocket-wheel, it rotates the lug 0, against which the free end of the spring I) rests, and is thus moved around, tightening the coils of the spring. This movement continues until the lug 0 comes in contact with the stop-lug b in the main section, which arrests the rotary movement of the section J. The sprocket wheel teeth a being engaged with the teeth a of the section J and that section being locked against rotary movement by the engagement of the lock lugs, the sprocketwheel will then impart motion to the main driving-shaft through the clutch-box. The tension of the spring slows up the motion of the sprocket-wheel in starting and brings the parts into engagement without shock orjar, as ashock or jar would endanger the breaking of the sprocket-wheels or their chains. In order to ship the sprocket into and out of engagement with the spring-cushioned clutch-box, I have provided the following instrumentalities:

6 represents a shipping-rod projecting inwardly over the driving-shaft.

e represents a pivoted lever, the free end of which lever is bifurcated, so as to engage with the lug of the shipping-rod k, which is journaled on the tail-board,as shown in Fig. 1. When said shipping-rod is turned, the lug engages with the fork of the shipping-lever and moves the same to the right or left, shipping the clutch-Wheel of the driving-shaftand engaging or disengaging the connection of the sprocket-wheel with the spring clutchbox.

It is a desideratum to have the main driving-wheel impart motion to the distributingwheel by friction-gear instead of teeth-gear, and I attain this result in the following manner: L represents a driving-wheel mounted upon the shaft I, the driving-face of which is beveled coinciding with the taper of a friction-cone M. This cone is mounted on the shaft M, on which is mounted the distributing-wheel, having radial wings, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6.

It will be observed that the weightof the distributing-wheel and its shaft, which tends to drop down, brings the cone-wheel more firmly in contact with the beveled face of the driving-wheel. The sprocket-chain N,which imparts motion to the shaft of the grainwheel by means of sprocket-wheel N on shaft I, counteracts the tendency of the drivingwheel and its shaft from moving away from contact with the cone-wheel on the distributing-shaft.

0 represents a coil-spring under tension pressing against the collar P, and journalbracket H, which forces the driving-wheel out, and tends to hold it in engagement with the cone of the driving-shaft M, thereby securing a frictional drive with but little tendency to slip. This construction secures a free but positive revolution of the distributing wheel and avoids the noise and increased friction of driving-pinions.

The weight, strain, support, and adjustment of parts are such as to hold the parts in engagement and tend to draw them nearer together instead of separating them.

Two grain-seed wheels and an enlarged cup are employed for the following purposes: It will be observed that the grain-spout terminating above the distributing-wheel extends laterally each side of the shaft, depositing seed when both wheels are in operation on the wings to the right as well as to the left of the shaft, and a distribution of the seed laterally in opposite directions is obtained. Now when the operator comes to close his field it frequently occurs that the land to be seeded is of less width than the capacity of both seed-wheels, each of which distributes laterally on its respective side of the seeder. In such cases one seed-wheel is shut off and seed is distributed at one side of the seeder only. Sometimes this will be desired for a right-hand distribution of the seed and sometimes for a left-hand. By having two seedwheels with independent cut-off slides either condition is readily fulfilled. Thus single or double distribution is obtained. I have found by experience that clover or'grass seed will not be distributed or thrown oif laterally nearly as far as grain will be distributed. IVhen it is desired to throw grass-seed in connection with grain, it is essential'that the lateral sowing of the two seeds shall be approximately the same distance. I have found that by employing the two separate seeders, the grain and grass seeder spouts being independent, but terminating approximately in the same plane, the distribution of the grain assists in a wider distribution of the grassseed, so that both seeds arespread laterally approximately the same distance.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In an end-gate seeder, the combination with a hopper detachably secured to said endgate and provided with a central dischargeorifice at the bottom, of a duplex seed-wheel incased within a cup and having a partition between the flutes of said wheel centrally disposed under the discharge-orifice of the hopper, a semicircular cut-off slide for each wheel provided with means for independent lateral adjustment and fixation, and a fluted regulating-disk encircling each wheel and revolving therewith, adapted to be adjusted by said cut-off slide, regnlatingthe discharge of grain from the hopper to the seed-wheels, substantiaily as specified.

2. In combination with a hopper of an endgate seeder having a central discharge-orifice, a cup attached to the under side of the hop per, in combination with a pair of seed-Wheels having a partition between them inclosed in said cup, centrally disposed under the hopper, a semicircular cut-off slide and regulating-disk adjusted bysaid cut-01f slide for each feed Wheel, and means for independently moving and adjusting the said slides, substantially as specified.

3. In a seeder, in combination with an endgate, a grain-seed hopper provided with feeding devices, a grass-seed-hopper feeding device and spout independently attached to said end-gate, a distributing-wheel provided with wings adapted to revolve under the termination of said grass and grain seeder spouts, each of which discharges its seed independently of the other to the distributingwheel, substantially as specified.

4. In a seeder, in combination with an endgate, a grain-seed hopper provided with feeding devices, a grass-seed hopper, feeding device and spout independently attached to said end-gate, a distributing-wheel provided with wings adapted to revolve under the termination of said grass and grain seed spouts, a driving-shaft journaled on the end-gate, and devices for transmitting power to the distributing-shaft, devices for transmitting power to the grain-seeder, and devices for transmitting power from the grain-seeder to the grass-seeder, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

SYLVESTER I-I. JONES. Witnesses:

HERBERT J. FARMER, F. J. CARR. 

